How to spot signs of coercive control and domestic abuse

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00:00 Are there any red flags in particular that we should be looking out for?

00:12 I think it's really important to understand that coercive and controlling behaviour is

00:18 at the centre of all domestic abuse relationships and a really good test is if something doesn't

00:25 seem right. If you're observing a relationship or you're observing an individual and in your

00:31 gut you think actually there's something not quite right here, it's really important to

00:34 follow that instinct and to learn a bit more about domestic abuse. So follow your instinct

00:38 and trust your gut that if you're observing something that seems off, it probably is off.

00:43 Another key sign is does the individual seem quite anxious around their partner? Do they

00:48 seem a bit pensive, a bit hesitant? Again, quite a clear red sign, red flag. And then,

00:54 you know, Sophie talked about isolation, it's a really common thing. So are you finding

00:59 it hard to see your friend or your family member on their own without their partner?

01:03 Are you finding it hard to access them? Are they not responding to you? Do you sometimes

01:08 think that perhaps there's sort of a barrier between you where before there wasn't? Again,

01:14 very clear red flag. And then the obvious ones, you know, can you see any bruises? Are

01:19 they wearing things slightly differently, slightly more covered up? Is there any sort

01:23 of physical signs that you might be able to see? Again, you know, and if you take these

01:28 things together, as well, that's a very clear indicator that there's probably a problem.

01:34 So I'd really urge people to look out for these signs.